Synopsis: Eric Roberts continues as the unrelentingly manipulative Master.
In the past, the last survivors of the Master’s experiment struggled to navigate a fractured landscape and the threat of the Doctor.
In the present, Gamara must confront the consequences of her buried truths, as the monstrous Mother Quiver returns to claim her final victim.
Review: Dark Gallifrey: Master! Part 3 gave listeners a confrontation decades in the making. Fortunately, writer Lizzie Hopley didn’t allow the fateful reunion to overpower the excellent storytelling around it.
Story
Like Agatha Christie, Hopley played fair. Throughout, she paid off everything she set up.
Gratifyingly, Hopley’s twists were both organic and surprising. This meant that my theories were structurally correct, while I got details wrong.
If anything, Hopley made the Master’s scheme even more twisted than I ever thought possible. After decades of Doctor Who, I adored finding out I lacked sufficient imagination.
Mother Quiver was my favorite example of the balance between internal logic and satisfying shocks. Hopley put work into the psychology and scope of her Time Lord mythology.
As for the eternal frenemies, their dust up felt earned. That said, I appreciated that it wasn’t final.
Acting
The entire cast was wonderful. However, four performances stood out.
For her part, Claire Huckle confidently cycled through the gamut of Gamara’s emotions in this final installment. Along side Huckle, Lizzie Hopley really put herself through a shredder as the Mind Shield.
For his part, guest star Paul McGann pulled out all the stops as the Eighth Doctor. Along the way, he lovingly gave listeners everything he knew they wanted and deserved.
All that said, the entire arc belonged to Eric Roberts. He happily made a meal of Hopley’s scripts, and he’s clearly had a total blast.
Overall
Dark Gallifrey: Master! Part 3 concluded the latest arc in a range going from strength to strength. I can’t wait to hear what Big Finish has in store.
You can purchase Dark Gallifrey: Master! Part 3 here.
- Story9.0
- Performances10
- Audio Production10
Slightly off topic, for which I’m sorry, but I’d like to see Karen Gillan write for Big Finish. Her short films are great and she understands horror tropes, which makes me think she’d be a good Big Finish Doctor Who writer.
Great review also Raissa! Paul McGann and Eric Roberts were my first Doctor and Master so it’s always fun to read about them.
Thanks. I’m glad you liked it. My first Doctor was Tom Baker’s Fourth and my first Master was the original Roger Delgado. Eric Roberts has grown on me since he joined Big Finish.